News

2025 AOST / AODS Parent + Sailor Survey results

Published Tue 09 Dec 2025

In November 2025 the parents and sailors were invited to respond to a survey about their experience at AOST / AODS camps during the year. It included a mix of Likert scale questions (1 being poor, through to 5 being excellent) and written responses.

A summary of the responses received follows.

Work is in progress and will continue to address many of the suggestions received!

Clarity of the selection process

Group Average (1–5)
---------------------------------------
Overall Average 3.4
AODS - Thailand 2.8
AOST - Asians 3.6
AOST - Euros 3.5
AOST - Worlds 4.0

Information provided to help decide about accepting a place

Group Average (1–5)
---------------------------------------
Overall Average 2.7
AODS - Thailand 2.8
AOST - Asians 2.7
AOST - Euros 2.8
AOST - Worlds 2.3

Understanding of expected costs and commitments

Group Average (1–5)
---------------------------------------
Overall Average 2.5
AODS - Thailand 2.8
AOST - Asians 2.3
AOST - Euros 2.5
AOST - Worlds 2.0

Communication before and during the training camp

Group Average (1–5)
---------------------------------------
Overall Average 3.1
AODS - Thailand 3.3
AOST - Asians 2.9
AOST - Euros 3.5
AOST - Worlds 3.3

Value of the training camp and experience

Group Average (1–5)
---------------------------------------
Overall Average 3.8
AODS - Thailand 3.8
AOST - Asians 3.7
AOST - Euros 3.5
AOST - Worlds 4.3

Engagement from the coach before departure

Group Average (1–5)
---------------------------------------
Overall Average 4.2
AODS - Thailand 4.0
AOST - Asians 4.1
AOST - Euros 4.3
AOST - Worlds 4.7

Communication among team members and families

Group Average (1–5)
---------------------------------------
Overall Average 3.4
AODS - Thailand 3.5
AOST - Asians 3.2
AOST - Euros 3.5
AOST - Worlds 4.0

Clarity on what to pack / bring

Group Average (1–5)
---------------------------------------
Overall Average 3.6
AODS - Thailand 4.0
AOST - Asians 3.5
AOST - Euros 3.8
AOST - Worlds 3.3

Clarity on schedules, travel, and logistics

Group Average (1–5)
---------------------------------------
Overall Average 3.3
AODS - Thailand 3.5
AOST - Asians 3.2
AOST - Euros 3.3
AOST - Worlds 3.7

Value of pre-regatta training

Group Average (1–5)
---------------------------------------
Overall Average 4.0
AODS - Thailand 4.0
AOST - Asians 3.9
AOST - Euros 3.8
AOST - Worlds 4.7

Organisation off-water (accommodation, meals, meeting times / daily routines)

Group Average (1–5)
---------------------------------------
Overall Average 3.7
AODS - Thailand 4.0
AOST - Asians 3.5
AOST - Euros 3.8
AOST - Worlds 3.7

Coaching support during the regatta

Group Average (1–5)
---------------------------------------
Overall Average 4.4
AODS - Thailand 4.3
AOST - Asians 4.4
AOST - Euros 4.5
AOST - Worlds 4.7

On a scale of 0 to 10, how likely are you to recommend participation in an AOST/AODS team to other sailors

Group Average (0–10)
----------------------------------------
Overall Average 9.0
AODS - Thailand 8.3
AOST - Asians 9.2
AOST - Euros 9.4
AOST - Worlds 10.0

Summary of written responses.

The core elements of the written responses are summarised, with the most common responses highlighted bold.

What aspects of the selection process worked well, and what could be improved?

Give guidance on expected costs for events.
Give more notice for camp dates and location.
Speed up the team selection process.
Offer more guidance on how teams are selected
Require competitors to confirm team nomination before the nationals
Run an information session for sailors intending to participate in the teams to explain the selection process, camps, events, Q&A.
Get reports from previous years' parents to share learnings and experience with the next year's sailors
Name the world's team at the nationals ceremony
Name coaches for teams at nationals
Share guidance on venues for the teams that sailors are themselves nominating for (e.g. wind, accommodation, conditions)

What part of the training camp was most valuable?

Time spent with the coach, teammates, and getting to know them.
Coaches' interaction and preparation.
Concentrated high-level training.

What could be improved for future training camps?

Provide more notice on dates and venue
Consider checking equipment to overseas standards to avoid problems at selected events.
Schedule camps to be closer to overseas regattas, and consider multiple camps if required.
Minimise travel and costs, locate nearer to the locus of sailors in the team
Consider billeting opportunities
Share a more formal agenda / schedule.
Consider a more full schedule - have participants in town and prepared the night prior to ensure 2 full days of training.

What could be done differently to help families prepare more smoothly?

Provide an information pack for families to help them prepare.
Share insights from previous years' participants.
Create a formal AIODA guide.
Provide transparency on how team managers are selected
Checklist on things to pack
Provide early confirmation of selection to allow travel costs to be kept to a minimum.
Weekly / fortnightly team calls before the event are very helpful.
Guidelines on what a best practice preparation schedule looks like for an overseas event - local training, regatta participation etc.
Consider a buddy system for new parents with prior parents
Use a spreadsheet to share information amongst families on logistics - accommodation, travel, tips etc.

What aspects of team management worked well or could be improved?

Ensure strong communication between the team manager, children and family. Clearly set expectations up front.
Ensure expectations of behaviour and schedules are balanced to work for all participants.
Finding workable accommodation for families can be a challenge when considering the requirement that the children stay at designated hotels.

What aspects of coaching support worked well or could be improved?

1:10 coach ratio for Asians is too much and too hard on the coach.
Give more guidance on accommodation, measurement / equipment checks, rule changes, and logistics pre-departure.
Coach's role in maintaining calm, good vibes and de-stressing kids is very valuable.

What was the highlight of your AOST experience?

Representing Australia
Making friends from other countries
Lots of learning from sailing in large fleets at a high standard
Getting to know other parents, building bonds with other families

What advice would you give to a new sailor or parent participating in AOST/AODS for the first time?

Speak to sailors and families who have been before
Be across: accommodation/sleeping arrangements, budgets, equipment checks, and sailing conditions.
Expect the unexpected, ask lots of questions.
Understand the level of AU sailing teams relative to other countries to set expectations, review previous years' results.
Prepare for conditions at the venue you’re going to.

Any other comments or suggestions?

Implement a system of continuous improvement. Consider a more deliberate approach to improving preparation and performance at international events.
Improve transparency on all fronts: costs, team selection, manager selection, coach selection, and equipment checks.
Make the team gear better.

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